Stakeholders in Plateau have called on youths in the state to unite and imbibe the culture of tolerance towards tackling the security challenges in the state.
Some of the stakeholders spoke at a one-day workshop organised by the Miango Youth Development Association (MYDA) on Saturday in Jos.
The workshop had the theme “Building a Community Based Approach to Peace Through Early Warning and the Social Media”.
Speaking, Mohammed Mato, the Fulani leader in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), called for a deeper love, understanding and tolerance among young people.
Mr Mato, who said that the conflicts in the Bassa and Plateau in general, were beyond farmer-herder clashes, insisted that regular dialogue among youths would further curb the menace.
The community leader, who wondered how hatred for one another had taken the centre stage in Plateau, said that the Fulani and natives in Miango lived peacefully in the past.
“If the youths can come together, sit down and talk to themselves, I think things will return to normal.
“In my younger days, we played, ate and attended the same primary school with my Irigwe friends.
“We sleep in their homes and nothing happened. But today, the story is different and I really don’t know what went wrong.
“Today, we kill ourselves and destroy each other’s properties without a second thought; lack of love, tolerance and understanding abound.
“So, I’m calling on both the Fulani and the Irigwe people, particularly the youths, let’s sit together and talk to ourselves on the need for lasting peace,” he said.
Mr Mato called on the youths to take advantage of modern technology and western knowledge to promote peaceful coexistence in their communities.
Grace Gye, the gender and youth team lead of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), commended MYDA for organising the workshop.
She particularly lauded them for ensuring gender balance in the selection of the participants.
Ms Gye called on young women to be actively involved in the process of peace building, insisting that women suffer most during conflicts.
Earlier, Samson Rivi, the assistant secretary of MYDA, said that the workshop was organised to intimate young people on early warning and the use of social media to promote peace in the communities.
He explained that the event was supported by Empowerment Goals and Support Initiative and Peace Direct, both Jos-based organisations.
“We are here today with a shared commitment to identify, analyse, and respond to early warning signals that pose a threat to the peace and security of Miango.
“This engagement is timely and crucial, considering the evolving nature of security challenges in our communities.
“By unpacking these early warning signs, we aim to strengthen our collective response, promote preventive measures, and foster lasting peace in Miango,” he said.
Mr Rivi advised the participants to approach the workshop with sincerity, open-mindedness, and a shared vision towards a safer and more united society.
(NAN)
